Click here to buy Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Starring: Steve Martin and Michael Caine

Starring: Steve Martin, and Michael Caine

1988; 110 minutes

Rating; 3.5

Yes, it's a classic. And, it is one I'm just now seeing for the first time.

My friend, Meagan, introduced me to the comedic genius of Steve Martin 10 years ago. I don't know how I haven't seen this one yet.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels isn't the most intelligent movie, but would you really expect it to be? Nope. I was just expecting some laughs. I definitely got them.

I probably won't be chomping at the bit to see this movie again in the near future, but I'm glad I did see it. It made for a fun and light evening.

Click here to buy It Might get Loud Starring: Jack White, Jimmy Page, and David Evans

Starring: Jack White, Jimmy Page, and David Evans (The Edge)

Think you've never heard of these stars before? You're wrong. You know them. You just might not know their names. Jack White = White Stripes. Jimmy Page = Led Zeppelin, and David Evans = U2.

Three generations of rock guitarists come together for It Might Get Loud. Why these three? Because Page dominated the scene of 1970s rock and roll, The Edge created sounds never heard before, and Jack White because he's the best of the "now".

Overall, this is a movie for music lovers. And, more than that, it's a movie for electric guitar lovers. If you don't fall into one of those groups, then "It Might Get Loud" probably isn't for you.

For me, it was fun to watch a movie about 3 people who are incredible passionate about what they do. And, of course, I learned a lot. But, it's not a movie I would have chosen to watch myself, nor is it one I'll watch again.

Click here to buy Beneath My Mother's Feet by: Amjed Qamar

by: Amjed Qamar.

2008; 198 pages.

Rating: 1.5

"Beneath My Mother's Feet" is Amjed Qamar's first book. And, to be brutally honest, it shows.

If there were one thing that could make this book infinitely better, it would be the narration. Make Nazia the narrator. Having the book be in 3rd person just doesn't work. In fact, it was a bit confusing.

This mystery 3rd person narrator kept calling Nazia's parents Abbu and Amma. But then sometimes, their real name would be used. If you're going to call parents "mom" and "dad", the narrator needs to be their child.

"Beneath My Mother's Feet" is a coming of age story about a young Pakistani girl (Nazia) whose mother takes her out of school because she needs to help earn money in order for the family to live. A series of unfortunate events continues the family's struggle. All the while, Nazia struggles to become her own person and live the life that she wants to live.

I didn't like the book. Not really at all. The reason I picked it up was so that I could learn about Pakistan, and I don't think I learned all that much. I could have learned more by reading the Wikipedia article.

Click here to buyHandle with Care by: Jodi Picoult

by: Jodi Picoult.

2009; 477 pages.

Rating: 4

I've only recently been introducted to the wonder that is Jodi Picoult. I read my first book by her in June. And here it is a mere 4 weeks later, and I've already read 3 more.

I picked up "Handle with Care" because it available to buy at a bookstore here, and it was cheaper than buying it for my Kindle. (That's pretty rare outside of the US.)

It took me a little longer to read this one. I'm not sure why. I think I just calmed down my reading frenzy a bit. (I read 9 books in June. Yikes.)

"Handle with Care" was a good book. It's not my favorite of the few Picoult books I've read. But, that's probably because of the ending...and I won't say more about that. I also had a bit of an issue with the idea that a woman would sue her best friend. Maybe friendship means more to me. Maybe I don't know because I don't have kids.

In "Handle with Care", Charlotte's daughter, Willow, is born with OI (a disease where bones are incredibly brittle and can break simply with a sneeze). Charlotte sues her Ob-Gyn for not diagnosing Willow's disease sooner. The only problem is that her Ob is her best friend.

I thought the book was really good. It explored lots of issues that surround a family today, not just a child who isn't "prefect". I loved Willow's character. She was amazing. But, she only got to narrate one chapter. I also liked that all the chapters were narrated (by different people - I'm seeing a trend here) directly to Willow.

Click here to buy Whip It starring: Ellen Page, Drew Barrymore, and Juliette Lewis

Starring: Ellen Page, Drew Barrymore, and Juliette Lewis

Rating: 3.5

Not the most stunning achievements in cinematic history, but also not a bad start for Drew Barrymore's directing debut.

"Whip It" is definitely a "coming of age" tale. This time it's about a young woman named Bliss (Page) whose mother wants her to be a beauty queen and travel across Texas for pageants. Her father wishes he had a son so he could watch sports all day. And, Bliss, well, she wants to compete in roller derby.

That's right. Roller derby is back. And it's brutal. Bliss lies to her parents, her friends, and her boss. But, she manages to make the roller derby team.

As with all coming of age tales, eventually everyone finds out, and it all works out in the end.

So, overall, it was ok. Nothing stunning or must-see about it. But, it was a fun diversion for a night.

Click here to buy Dancing with Eva by: Alan Judd

by: Alan Judd.

2007; 214 pages.

Rating: 1.5

Dancing with Eva had promise. It really did. The premise behind it was a good one.

An old man visits an old woman, who's also an old friend. The two of them are likely the only two surviving people who were in Hitler's inner-circle and there when it all went down.

Why is he choosing now to visit? What does he want? Hans and Edith remember the past, each with a secret that can destroy the other.

Unfortunately, tehre's no nice way to put it, but this book blows. It's not good. The writing is mediocre, the characters are undeveloped, the story flashes between past and present inconsistently, and well, it's just not good. It evokes no emotion from the reader at all. (Well, except for thanksgiving when the book is finally finished).

I don't recommend that you read it. It's not worth your time. Or mine to write more about it.

Click here to buy "Into the Wild starring: Emile Hirsch, Vince Vaughn, and Kristen Stewart

Starring: Emile Hirsch, Vince Vaughn, Kristen Stewart

2009; 2 hours 16 minutes

Rating: 1.5

Long ago, before I'd seen the movie, someone told me how it ended. Darn them. Before they said that, I wanted to see it, or maybe even read the book.

But, is there anything worse than watching a movie where you already know how it ends? Yes.

Watching a BAD movie where you already know how it is going to end is way worse.

I did not enjoy "Into the Wild" at all. I thought it was full of montages that were unnecessary. I thought it could have easily been shorted by almost an hour.

And, the only parts I liked were barely there at all. I really liked when the sister narrated. But, that's about it.

I thought that Alex / Chris was incredibly selfish. If he couldn't tell his parents where he was, could he not talk to his sister, whom he presumably liked? What about Mr. Franz? The old man loved him, and Alex/Chris couldn't even bring himself to talk to the man.

What a self-centered, egotistical @$$.

Click here to buy Certain Girls by: Jennifer Weiner

by: Jennifer Weiner.

2008; 400 pages.

Rating: 3

I mentioned earlier how I got "Certain Girls" for $1.50. It was a good choice. It was cheaper than buying most books available for Kindle download, and it was a good read.

"Certain Girls" is the sequel to "Good in Bed". The interesting thing about "Certain Girls" is that the chapters are narrated alternately between Cannie and her daughter Joy, age 13.

Now, any of you out there who are, or once were, a 13 year old girl...can you imagine writing about how you actually feel, especially about your mother?

Well, that's how this book feels. It offers a glimpse into the thoughts of young teen girls.

Joy's bat mitzvah is approaching, and she's feeling pressured to be like other teens. She's embarrassed by her mother, her family, and herself. Cannie, Joy's mother, feels over-protective of her premature baby all grown up. And Peter wants to have another baby, but Peter and Cannie will need a surrogate.

I don't feel as if this is the best book that's ever been written. I don't even actually think it was great. I thought it was a bit weak, and oculd have been tweaked to be better. I thought it read as though the writing were rushed.

Click here to buy Changeling starring: Angelina Jolie and John Malkovich

2008; 2 hours, 20 minutes

Starring: Angelina Jolie and John Malkovich

Rating: 5

A true story. I couldn't believe it. I was stunned.

A mother (Jolie) in 1928 Los Angeles reports her son as missing. 5 months later, a boy is returned to her. But, he isn't her son.

She takes on the LAPD to get them to continue searching for her real son. But, they don't. She never gives up hope of finding her real son, but along the way she is imprisoned in a mental institution for fighting against the police.

A local reverend (Malkovich) runs a radio show, and has dedicated his life to enlighten the public about the corruption of the LAPD. He sympathizes with Mrs. Collins, and does everything he can to help her.

As I'm watching Changeling, I'm thinking to myself "This could never happen now. Not with DNA testing and the internet and..." But, could it? I have no idea. It has to be every parent's worst nightmare.

The acting in Changeling is absolutely incredible. I mean fantastic. Every actor did a stunning job.

I highly recommend that you see this movie if you haven't already. It's one everyone should see. Go. Order it. Now.

Click here to buy Good in Bed by: Jennifer Weiner

by: Jennifer Weiner.

2001; 400 pages.

Rating: 3

To be completely honest, I never really had the intention to read this book. That is, until I went to a book store, and found a copy of "Certain Girls" on sale for $1.50. I read that it was by the same author as "In Her Shoes" (I liked the movie), so I figured, well, for $1.50, why not.

But, when I got the book home, I realized that it was the sequel to "Good in Bed". And, not only that, but that you do have to read the first one to read the second one. Well, shoot. That meant that I then had to buy the Kindle version of "Good in Bed" for $12.99. Ouch. I guess they still average out to a good deal...but the whole point of buying "Certain Girls" was because it was cheaper than most Kindle books.

Anyway..."Good in Bed" is the story of Cannie, a writer whose ex-boyfriend, Bruce, writes about their relationship for a popular magazine. Cannie, meanwhile, gets pregnant after a quick round of break-up / sympathy sex with Bruce; befriends Maxi (a movie-star); sells a screenplay; and is pushed (literally) into early delivery by Bruce's current girlfriend. All the while, Cannie struggles with her weight, which for her is life's big plight...until...

I thought the book was good, nothing fantastic, but good enough. But, to be honest, I didn't think it was worth $12.99. For me, that's a lot of money to spend on a book. (I like them for free from the library - but that's not an option at the moment.)

The writing was good, but it seemed a bit elementary. That could be because the book is geared more towards the chick-lit genre (which has yet to impress me with its writer's style and ability).

I'm not sorry I read it, but I'm also not going to tell you that you must run out and buy the book this instant because it is something your life won't be complete without. Nope. Your life is probably complete without it. But, if you want a quick diversion, this book isn't too bad.

Click here to buy Land of the Lost starring Will Ferrell

Starring: Will Ferrell

Rating: 2.5

Obviously you already know that anything starring Will Ferrell probably isn't going to be the best movie ever made. But, that doesn't mean it can't be the best thing for you in the moment.

Jonathan and I had had a bit of a frustrating day. So, when we finally made it back to our hotel room, "Land of the Lost" was on TV. We didn't actually know what it was when we first started watching it, but it was just silly enough that we knew we had to keep watching.

It "hit the spot" for what we needed then. It was the best movie we could have seen given the circumstances of the day.

Now, you may not like movies that are highly silly. And especially not ones that involve a scientist going back in time, protecting people from dinosaurs, and saving the world from an alien invasion.

But, the next time you need a light-hearted-nothing-to-think-about movie, give this one a try.

Click here to buy Nineteen Minutes by: Jodi Picoult

by: Jodi Picoult.

2007; 588 pages.

Rating: 5

I grew up in Colorado. I was in high school when the Columbine school shooting happened. I am fortunate enough that I didn't know anyone personally who was involved. Unfortunately, this isn't something many Coloradans can say.

A school shooting is never something easy to talk about. It affects lives of everyone in the country. I may not have known anyone at Columbine, but I did write my senior paper on violence and adolescents. (Don't let 'senior paper' fool you - that thing was darn near 250 pages and took months.)

In "Nineteen Minutes", Jodi Picoult devles into the lives of those most closely connected in a school shooting that takes place at a high school in New Hampshire - including the shooter himself.

Each segment is told from each person's own perspective. I live that. It kind of offers a way to relate to all the players in the situation, the shooter, the victims, the parents, the friends, the bullies, everyone.

I highly recommend that you read "Nineteen Minutes". It may be a difficult topic for you; in fact it probably will be. But, it is a fantastic read, and one I couldn't put down.

Click here to buy Licence to Kill a James Bond 007 Starring: Timothy Dalton

Starring: Timothy Dalton

1989; rating: 2.5

I haven't seen too many James Bond movies. In fact, I'm pretty sure that this is only the 3rd or 4th I've ever seen.

I must say that all the others that I've seen were better than this one. I think that they were trying to capitalize on the Jaws hype what with death-by-great-white-shark and all.

I don't know what else to say really...it was another James Bond movie...there were parts that were highly confusing, action that happened out of order, and things that just didn't make sense. But, it was still fun.

This is not one of those 007 movies that you have to see right now, it's probably not even one I'd really recommend you see...unless you're on some quest to sell all the James Bond movies ever made. But, for me, it was a good late-night movie option (OK it was the only option that night).

Click here to buy The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus Starring: Christopher Plummer, Heath Ledger, Johnny Depp, Jude Law, Colin Farrell

Starring: Christopher Plummer, Heath Ledger, Johnny Depp, Jude Law, Colin Farrell

Rating: 4.5

I chose to watch this movie because of the title. I knew nothing about it going in. How I managed to forget that this was Heath Ledger's last movie, I don't know. But, I'll always remember now.

"The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus" is about Dr. Parnassus and his dealings with the Devil (Mr. Nick). Dr. Parnassus is immortal, and makes it his life to bet the devil. But, one day, the betting gets out of hand, and it's not Dr. Parnassus who's in trouble...it's his daughter.

Those traveling with Dr. Parnassus rescue a man (Ledger) who's hanging underneath the Blackfriar's bridge. The man cannot remember who he is. So, he "decides" to join the crew of followers. He turns out to be of more help to them than was originally thought.

So, my thoughts on the movie: The moral of the story was very clear: don't bet against the devil...you'll lose. The visual aspect was absolutely stunning and it was amazing all the visual effects that went into making the movie. I enjoyed it overall, but I thought that the ending was really weak. (No surprise considering one of the lead actors passed away during filming.)

Did you know: that Depp, Law, and Farrell all took turns playing Ledger's part in the movie. And, they all donated their proceeds to Ledger's daughter.

Click here to buy Seduced by Moonlight by Laurell K. Hamilton

by: Laurell K. Hamilton.

2004; 432 pages.

Rating: 3.5

Some of you might be ashamed to admit to reading books like this. Others of you might be ashamed if you don't. Me? Well, I read the first book in the series (A Kiss of Shadows), and oddly enough, I'm hooked.

Yes, there's sex in the Meredith Gentry series by Laurell K. Hamilton. In fact, there's quite a bit. So much so that it makes me uncomfortable. But, I really want to know what happens.

That's why I keep reading.

In "Seduced by Moonlight", the characters find their magic and their powers growing. It's a book of growth. Meredith finds that she has the Goddess Danu in her...and that she can restore the powers to others. Frost, Doyle, and a few of her other guards have returned to near god-like status.

I know that I'll be reading the next books in the series...but with there being at least 10 books, I don't know how many I'll read. Hopefully they're good enough to keep me coming back for more.